December 2018 Volunteer Opportunities

City of Sacramento sent this bulletin at 11/28/2018 02:35 PM PST

Holiday Concert

Wednesday, December 5, 2018

6:00 pm-9:00 pm

Hart Senior Center, 915 27th Street, Sacramento 95816

Volunteers needed to help youth and adults with intellectual and cognitive disabilities in the Access Leisure program. The most important job our volunteers have is to interact positively and socialize with participants in activities so that they and you will have fun.

Come join us and the “K Street Orchestra” Conducted by Krystyna Taylor for this holiday concert and group sing-a-long. Help the program participants to enjoy the fun. Volunteers will also assist with set up and clean up. 4 Volunteers needed. Minimum age to volunteer is 16. Volunteers must contact Access Leisure and fill out a volunteer form before coming to an event. Contact Michelle Tabarango at 916-808-1205 or mtabarango@cityofsacramento.org.

Cat and Kitten Foster Class

There is no room for kittens at the shelter and they are in need of new volunteers to give kittens a temporary home for several weeks. Help Front Street foster kittens and cats. Save lives! Next Kitten and Cat Foster Class is Saturday, Dec. 8 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Front Street Animal Shelter, 2127 Front St, Sacramento, CA 95818. Register here: www.frontstreetfosters.weebly.com

Hart's Healthy Pantry

Through a partnership with Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services, the Hart Center offers a monthly food distribution program called Hart’s Healthy Pantry to low-income seniors. Volunteers are needed the3rd Wednesday of each month from 10:30 am to 1 pm. Next dates needed: Dec 20, 2018 and Jan 16, 2019. Volunteers must be able-bodied and comfortable working outside under an awning on the patio. Volunteers need to be able to lift 30-40 pounds. Volunteers will be helping to distribute pre-packed boxs of groceries that include foods such as milk, cereal grains, cheese, juice, canned meat, peanut butter, plus fresh fruit, vegetables and bread. Please contact lwarren@cityofsacramento.org (916) 808-1457and /or sstewart@cityofsacramento.org (916) 808-3814 for more information and to volunteer.

TechConnections - Microsoft Publisher

Are you one of the millions of Americans who can barely visualize life before computers and smart phones? It might be hard to imagine, but there are many older adults here in Sacramento who haven’t yet had the opportunity to join the technology revolution. Hart Senior Center’s TechConnections Program is out to fix that! With the help of volunteers who love technology (or at least see its many benefits!). TechConnections provides small group classes, workshops and one-on-one tutorials to help seniors get into the computer age. We’re currently seeking new volunteers who have experience with computers and can help us deliver a Microsoft Publisher class that will take place Dec 4,6,11,13,17 from 3-4:30. Our cozy classroom for six students, set up with equipment to project our pre-planned lessons onto a large screen, make a great learning environment for students and a rewarding experience for volunteer teachers. We provide all the support that new instructors might need. Help seniors bridge the digital divide by becoming a TechConnections volunteer! For more details, contact Program Coordinator Quincia Burleson at QBurleson@cityofsacramento.org, phone (916) 808-5462, or provide your name to staff at the Hart Center’s front desk.

Volunteer Stars at Oak Park Community Center

Volunteer Stars at Oak Park Community Center

by Michael Lingberg

The key to a life of volunteerism is a solid foundation.

Several volunteers at the Oak Park Community Center in South Sacramento have just that: a strong foundation.

Josephine Atkins, Janice Bailey and Ollie Watson are all important figures in the Oak Park community, and each has a history of being taught from an early age that volunteerism is a civic duty. Read more here.

McKinley Park Rose Garden

Yes, this is the rose garden shown in the movie "Lady Bird!" Located at the corner of 33rd and H Streets, and overseen by the nonprofit Friends of East Sacramento, we welcome volunteers of all ages, all 12 months of the year. Our 1.5-acre garden has 1,200 roses and eight perennial beds. Although our Monthly 2nd Saturday Events have ended for 2018, we will be working from 9 am until noon on some weekend days in December......specifically.........Saturday Dec. 1, Sunday, Dec. 9, Saturday, Dec. 15, Saturday, Dec. 22, and Saturday, Dec. 29. To help the roses go into dormancy we are no longer deadheading but only pulling off the rose petals on spent blossoms. There is still some weeding left to do if you love pulling weeds! Also our camellia trees should be blooming and starting to drop their flowers which need to be picked up. Lots of things to do to help us keep our beautiful rose garden healthy and movie worthy!! We do have some supplies we loan out on a first-come, first-served basis. If you can bring your own garden gloves, buckets, or trowels, please do, and we recommend wearing a hat or visor, and closed-toed shoes are a must! Dress warm it may be cold! Any minors attending the events will need to bring a signed volunteer waiver form. In 2019 there will be opportunities for individual volunteer orientations. Once trained, you can come volunteer on your own schedule. For more information or to get the volunteer waiver form, please contact friendsofeastsac@aol.com. Hope to see you soon!

Temple Park Tree Planting and Community Input

Join Councilmember Jay Schenirer and Parks Commissioner Joe Flores on Saturday, Dec. 1 at 8:45 a.m. to plant some trees at Temple Park that will provide shade for generations to come. Afterwards stick around for some food and join the discussion on how to improve the park! The city of Sacramento wants your input on what upgrades are needed, so share your thoughts to help shape the future of your neighborhood. For information contact Rachel at rachelp@sactree.com or (916) 924-8733. Sign up at: http://bit.ly/TempleAve1201

River Park Tree Planting

The River Park Tree Canopy Project at Glenn Hall Park is a community-based effort to restore and enhance the tree canopy in River Park. Through this initiative over 100 trees have been planted in River Park since 2015 with the help of our amazing volunteers! River Park’s beautiful trees improve air quality, reduce energy costs, and provide a respite from summer’s heat. Please join us on Saturday, Dec. 8 from 8:45 a.m. to noon as we continue the tradition of tree planting in River Park! Sign up today

Winter Wonderland

Saturday & Sunday, Dec. 8, 9, 15 & 16 - Celebrate the holiday season at Fairytale Town! The Town will be trimmed with festive holiday décor and a dazzling display of lights, starting at dusk each night. Enjoy Charlie Brown-themed hands-on activities throughout the event. Listen to strolling Victorian carolers, and shop for gifts from local vendors. Don’t miss a flurry of snow falling nightly at 7 PM near the Mother Goose Stage. And step inside a giant snow globe! Santa will be making a special stop at Fairytale Town and will be available for visits and photos in his workshop. Volunteers are needed to help with crafts, set-up and take down, general crowd control, greeter, and costumed characters. For Winter Wonderland we are asking all volunteers to wear Holiday, warm, winter, or red & green colored clothing. Santa hats or other costumes are encouraged! Sign up to volunteer here

Access Leisure and Paralympic Sports

Help Increase Access To Recreational Activities For People With Disabilities

Volunteer with Access Leisure and Paralympic Sports to enhance life experience of people with disabilities. Access Leisure, a program of the City of Sacramento Department of Youth, Parks and Community Enrichment, provides sports, residential camping and outdoor education as well as social and fitness programs for children, teens, and adults with disabilities.

If you would like to work a particular program below, please call in or email your availability. Send an email to Michelle Tabarango at Mtabarango@cityofsacramento.org. In social programs: you will be working with youth and adults with intellectual and cognitive disabilities. The most important job our volunteers have is to interact positively and socialize with participants in activities so that they and you will have fun. In the sports programs, you will be working with youth and or adults with physical disabilities, so lifting and transferring may be needed. Minimum age to volunteer is 14 for sports activities and 16 for social activities.

Volunteer Responsibilities: Interact in a positive manner with the participants; assist in activities with the participants as necessary.Assist set up and clean up after.

We will need your help with facilitating the athletes for Goalball. This sport is designed for athletes with visual impairment. You will learn the rules and may be asked to participate with the athletes while wearing an eye mask.

8 volunteers needed

Social: Holiday Concert -Wednesday, Dec. 5, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., Senior Center 915 27th Street Sacramento, Ca 95816. Come join us and the “K Street Orchestra” Conducted by Krystyna Taylor. Includes a group sing-a-long. Will include set up and clean up.

4 Volunteers needed

Sports: Wheelchair Rugby – WednesdayDec. 5, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Rosa Parks Middle School 2250 68th Ave, Sacramento, CA 95822 (Meet in the Gym behind the field) We will need your help facilitating the athletes for Wheelchair Rugby. You will learn the rules and may be asked to participate in a wheelchair with the athletes.

4 volunteers needed

Social: Lunch and Cinema, Saturday, Dec. 8, 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., UA Market Palace 1739 Arden Way, Sacramento, Ca 95815. Come and enjoy a day out to the movies and lunch with friends. Several food choices available in the market place venue. Your admission to the movies will be paid for, however you will need to bring extra money for your lunch and movie snacks if you would like them.

3 Volunteers needed

Social: Paint & Sip, Wednesday, Dec. 10, 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. Senior Center 915 27th St. Sacramento, Ca 95816 (Redwood East Room) A little painting with some great non-alcoholic beverages. We will need your assistance in setting up for our participants and helping them along the way.

5 volunteers needed

Sports: Wheelchair Rugby – WednesdayDec. 12,5:30 to 9:30 p.m. atRosa Parks Middle School 2250 68th Ave, Sacramento, CA 95822 (Meet in the Gym behind the field) We will need your help with facilitating the athletes in Wheelchair Rugby. You will learn the rules and may be asked to participate in a wheelchair with the athletes.

We will need your help with facilitating the athletes for Goalball. This sport is designed for athletes with visual impairment. You will learn the rules and may be asked to participate with the athletes while wearing an eye mask.

Help our participants get their holiday shopping done. You will need to assist them with time and money management, all while spending time shopping with friends.

10 volunteers needed

Volunteers must contact Access Leisure and fill out a volunteer form before coming to an event. Please contact Michelle Tabarango at 916-808-1205 or mtabarango@cityofsacramento.org.

Angelique Ashby's Youth Action Corps - District 1 Youth Orientations

Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018, 3:00

Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018, 5:30

Your gateway to youth internships, scholarships, jobs, and more! Come out to an orientation to find out more about the Youth Action Corps of District 1. Orientations will take place at North Natomas Library Community Room on Dec. 4 and 18. For more info, visit: https://www.angeliqueashby.com/youth.

Social Media and Communications Intern

Importance of Position: The Social Media and Communications Intern or Volunteer assists with and coordinates social media as well as a variety of communications and marketing tasks for the City of Sacramento Volunteer Program. This position will offer an intern or volunteer the opportunity to experience city government while working on a variety of topics that directly impact the community and to utilize their marketing and communications skills.

Skills/Qualifications:

Knowledge of and experience using social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, etc.)

Concise and creative writing skills

Ability to multi-task and self-motivate

Strong communications skills

Microsoft Office Suite

Graphic design skills

Communications, public relations, marketing or journalism experience

Some photography and video experience is a plus.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

Manage and engage in a variety of social media platforms

Draft a consistent schedule of content for various social media channels

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program

Help People File Their Taxes

Your help is needed! Together we can make sure that working families throughout Sacramento are able to keep their hard-earned money. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) helps bring back millions of dollars to working families in our community by providing free tax assistance for low and moderate income households. Last year, the Capital Region VITA Coalition helped keep more than $6 million in the pockets of residents by coordinating the VITA program. This success is only possible through a dedicated volunteer base. In 2016, the Capital Region VITA Coalition trained and certified nearly 270 volunteers and surpassed all tax season expectations, but still fell short serving all the Sacramento families that needed VITA services. We simply need more volunteers. Please tell your friends, neighbors, family members, and co-workers that we need them to volunteer, too!

Family Volunteer Day

Bring your kids and volunteer at New Joseph Bonnheim Elementary on Family Volunteer Day, Saturday, December 1st! Join HandsOn Sacramento as we spruce up this school by planting, raking, weeding, general clean-up and other family-friendly activities. Minimum age is 6 if accompanied by adult. Sign up today: buff.ly/2PivJ1K

Homeless Point in Time Count

WHAT: 2019 Homeless Point-In-Time Count

WHEN: January 30 – 31, 2019, Evenings

WHERE: Sacramento County, Staging Locations To Be Determined

WHY: County-wide special census of people experiencing homelessness

Volunteer registration for the 2019 Homeless Point-In-Time (PIT) Count is now open. The count will be conducted on the evenings of January 30 – 31, 2019 by volunteers under the direction of Sacramento Steps Forward and Sacramento State.

The biennial PIT count is a county-wide special census which provides a snapshot of who is experiencing homelessness on any given night. The data gathered helps shape policy and programs designed to assist some of our most vulnerable residents.

Sacramento Steps Forward is partnering with Sacramento State’s Division of Social Work and the Institute for Social Research on this crucial project.

Sacramento Steps Forward will be recruiting hundreds of volunteers who will be trained and grouped in teams to canvass the community in organized deployments during the two evening counts, rain or shine. Volunteering does not require any prior experience, but you must: be 18 years of age or older; have a strong interest in helping people who are experiencing homelessness; and attend required training's to learn to safely conduct accurate counts with teams within carefully pre- mapped territories.

Volunteers should register here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WLV8VVT. If you would like to form a group of coworkers, family or friends, Sacramento Steps Forward will accommodate your requests. More information will be provided to registered volunteers as we prepare for the event.

CampFire Resources

The CampFire in Paradise and the surrounding area has caused widespread devastation and left many without a home. For resources and ways to help visit: https://buttecountyrecovers.org Locally, Hands on Superior California is coordinating volunteers for animal evacuation shelters in Oroville. Click Richvale Shelter or Oroville Shelter for details.